I have seen tons of headboards turned benches out there and its been on my to-do list for about a year now. I finally got around to it and I think it turned out pretty cute :)

This is not a detailed tutorial – but you will get the gist. I think that you just have to play around with it because every headboard/footboard is built different and this can be done all different ways. Just make it up as you go along – that’s what I ALWAYS do!!!

Before…I used the headboard and footboard

The headboard wasn’t altered at all – just the footboard. The footboard was used for the arm rests on my bench. I could of also used the footboard for under the seat if I wanted a different look – it just would have a closed bottom and no arm rests – both ways would be cute.

Footboard

Close up of footboard

I played around with how I wanted to arm rests to look and I had to disassemble the footboard. But, I wanted to re-use all the pieces so I was careful.

All taken apart

Then this is where I played around with it and where all benches are going to be different. I cut the footboard in half and then used the side molding that was on the footboard for the arm rests.

Then after I had my arm rests on, I needed to put on a cleat where my bench would rest. Do this on all 3 sides so its good and sturdy.

Then I forgot to take a pic, but I just used a piece of MDF and cut that to the size of the seat. Then I took the top part of the headboard and put that under the seat part to finish it off (see that on the after pics). I used every piece of the footboard that I took apart. Fill all your nail holes, prime and paint.

The bench was painted a creamy white (Honeymilk by Valspar) and then distressed. I love the way it turned out! I cant wait to make another one :)

Here you can see the top part of the footboard under the seat. I also took some of the side molding and cut that to fill in the gaps – worked out perfect. Love it when that happens.

Have you made a bench from a headboard/footboard? I would love to see it – email me a pic. I have a few more that I need to make and love seeing inspiration pics :)

I have TWO headboard/footboard sets at home waiting to do the same thing. For some reason I just keep putting it to the end of my to do list. This really makes me wanna dig them out. Your bench is STUNNING!! I just LOVE IT!

I love it Sausha! It reminds me of a church pew. Question: How did you attache the cleat to the sides and back? Also, what sheen of paint did you use? Do you typically always use the same sheen for painting furniture? If not, how do you decide which sheen to use?Thanks!

WOW!!! That is soooo cute!! I came across our kids baby crib a few weeks ago. My husband wanted to give it away and I said No Way! I heard it was bad luck many years ago and I will never give it up. Hopefully you have inspired me to make it into a bench!! Thanks! Love your blog and your ideas!

Awesome repurpose! I just saw a headboard at a flea market that was so intricately detailed I could barely pass it up but I was not in need of another queen headboard. And, it wasn't cheap. But it was soooo cool. Now I might go back and get it (if it's still there) and make a bench with it.

Beyond loving this!!! Question: because you used MDF for the seat, you had to do something to make it looked distressed like the rest of the wood. Did you paint it a dark color first, or did you just add some dark paint on the edges over the white to make it look distressed?

I am about to start a project like this and had a question. Did you use nails or screws to attach all of the pieces? Also, if primed and painted, will the mdf survive outdoor weather, or should I use plywood, etc. Thanks!